LibertyLast season's record: 6-4, 3-1; Class C Division ICoach: John Wilhelm, fifth season as head coach, 12th year in the programReturning starters: Sr. QB Quinn Jackson; Sr. C Kevin Brannigan; Sr. DT Julius Graves; Sr. RB/DB Jericho Male; Soph. RB/LB Kevin Morgans; Sr. TE Brenden WilliamsKey losses: TE/ILB/K/P Ryan Henry; RB/OLB Kenny Jaycox; OL/LB Andrew Martinez; LT/DE Tony Saravia; LB Ehat Shehi; RB/DB Atwoun AckerleyOutlook: The Indians played in the Section 9 championship game last year against O'Neill, but they have lost a handful of very talented players to graduation. That means Liberty will be young and inexperienced in spots, but Wilhelm says the team's goal is to “improve each week and get back to the playoffs.”

2: Number of Class C schools in 2012 that shifted to other classifications in 2013. Dover merged with Webutuck for football and will now compete in Class B. Pine Plains moved to Class D with a drop in enrollment. Fallsburg, which had competed in Class C in recent years, will not field a team this season.

15: Streak of consecutive losses by Section 9 teams in state tournament play that was snapped by O'Neill's victory over Woodlands last year. Highland's 1996 victory over Dover, then a Section 1 team, had been Section 9's last Class C state tournament victory.

72.9: Percentage of all-purpose yards that Tri-Valley lost to graduation. Cody Exner, Brendan Tierney and Shatik Smith combined for 2,246 of the 3,082 yards gained passing, rushing and on returns in 2012.

450: Points scored by James I. O'Neill in 12 games in 2012. Only one Section 9 team, Cornwall (480), scored more points.

2,934: Rushing yards for James I. O'Neill in 2012. Jerry Nasi, who graduated in June, gained 2,072 of those yards.

Division I1. James I. O'Neill: The Raiders have reloaded after winning a second straight Section 9 title last fall. With 3-year starter Keegan West leading the offense, O'Neill should have no problem putting up points.

2. John S. Burke Catholic: The Eagles have a large group of talented juniors this year, so the best may be yet to come in Goshen.

3. Ellenville: The Blue Devils were a playoff team in Class B a season ago, but they won't have it easy in Class C in a division with O'Neill and Burke Catholic.

4. Onteora: The Indians have plenty of holes to fill, but they could surprise if their newcomers step up.

Division II1. Liberty: Fresh off an appearance in the Section 9 championship game, the Indians are hungry for a return trip in 2013.

2. Millbrook: The Blazers might not exactly live up to their nickname, but they'll certainly wear down opposing defenses with their power running game.

3. Sullivan West: The Bulldogs lost a few key players to graduation, but should still contend for a playoff spot out of Division II.

4. Tri-Valley: With just a pair of seniors on the roster this season, the Bears might be building toward something big in 2014.

Sullivan West vs. MillbrookWhen: Sept. 27, 7 p.m. Where: at MillbrookLast season: On Oct. 19, 2012, the final week of the regular season, Millbrook won a 30-15 decision with Henry Cardinal rushing for 165 yards and two touchdowns on 27 attempts.What to expect: It certainly isn't a rivalry based on geography – the schools are separated by about 100 miles – but Millbrook and Sullivan West will battle for control of Division II in this crucial early season showdown.

O'Neill vs. MillbrookWhen: Oct. 4, 7 p.m.Where: at MillbrookLast season: The teams did not play in 2012. O'Neill won the most recent meeting, Sept. 10, 2011, 41-21.What to expect: It's a non-division matchup, but it could be a potential Section 9 playoff preview. O'Neill is coming off two straight Section 9 titles, but the Raiders lost plenty of talent to graduation. Millbrook was a young team last year and returns a great deal of experience.

Ellenville vs. OnteoraWhen: Oct. 5, 3 p.m. Where: at OnteoraLast season: The teams did not play in 2012 or 2011. Ellenville won the last meeting on Oct. 8, 2010, 37-0. What to expect: Both of these teams finished with 2-7 records in 2012, with Ellenville playing a Class B schedule. This year, they're in Division I along with James I. O'Neill and Burke Catholic, so the winner of this game likely keeps pace in the race for a division title.

John S. Burke vs. O'NeillWhen: Oct. 11, 6:30 p.m. Where: at O'NeillLast season: Burke Catholic was one of only two teams to defeat O'Neill during the regular season last year, winning 26-21 on Sept. 29. What to expect: Depending on how the early part of the season shakes out, this game could have major implications in the Division I standings and in the Section 9 playoff seedings. Burke Catholic returns many players from last year's team, so they'll know that they can beat O'Neill if a few breaks go their way.

Tri-Valley vs. LibertyWhen: Oct. 18, 7 p.m. Where: at Liberty Last season: These teams haven't met since Sept. 25, 2009, a 41-6 victory for Liberty in Grahamsville.What to expect: Liberty shifts back to Division II after playing in Division I last year, meaning the Indians and Bears will meet again for the first time in four years. There will be local bragging rights on the line and the division title might be at stake as well at this point in the season.

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